Covers is a compilation album by The Smithereens, released in May 2018 by Sunset Blvd Records.[1] It was originally released as a digital download on iTunes in May 2014.[2] The album features 22 cover songs recorded by the band between 1980 and 2008. Most of the songs have previously been released as b-sides or on tribute albums and soundtracks.
Covers features songs that are collected from different sessions throughout the band's career.[3] Guitarist Jim Babjak: “Whenever we had extra time in the studio we’d knock off covers for fun."[4]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Illinois Entertainer | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Jeff Elbel of the Illinois Entertainer rated the album 7 stars out of 10, stating: "If these songs represent the Smithereens' schoolbooks, Covers is the thesis supporting the band's tenured status as professors and proclaimers of perfect power pop."[5]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original release | Length |
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1. | "The Game of Love" (originally recorded by Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders) | Clint Ballard Jr. | previously officially unreleased on CD | 2:34 |
2. | "The Slider" (originally recorded by T. Rex) | Marc Bolan | Resurrection of the Warlock: A Tribute to Marc Bolan & T-Rex, 1995 | 3:04 |
3. | "Ruler of My Heart" (originally recorded by Irma Thomas) | Naomi Neville | B-side to "House We Used to Live In", 1988 | 3:02 |
4. | "Wooly Bully" (originally recorded by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs) | Domingo Samudio | Encino Man (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1992 | 3:04 |
5. | "Let's Talk About Us" (originally recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis) | Otis Blackwell | Brace Yourself! A Tribute to Otis Blackwell, 1994 | 3:20 |
6. | "Girl Don't Tell Me" (originally recorded by The Beach Boys) | Brian Wilson | Girls About Town EP, 1980 | 2:23 |
7. | "Up in Heaven" (originally recorded by The Clash) | Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon | The Sandinista! Project - A Tribute to The Clash, 2007 | 2:53 |
8. | "Time Won't Let Me" (originally recorded by The Outsiders) | Chet Kelley, Tom King | Non-album single, 1994 (from the Motion Picture Timecop) | 3:46 |
9. | "Gloomy Sunday" (originally recorded by Hal Kemp and Billie Holiday) | Sam M. Lewis, Rezső Seress | God Save The Smithereens, 1999 | 3:40 |
10. | "Yer Blues" (originally recorded by The Beatles) | John Lennon, Paul McCartney | previously officially unreleased on CD | 4:45 |
11. | "One After 909" (originally recorded by The Beatles) | Lennon, McCartney | B-side to "Top of the Pops", 1991 | 3:36 |
12. | "I Want to Tell You" (originally recorded by The Beatles) | George Harrison | Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison, 2003 | 3:13 |
13. | "It Don't Come Easy" (originally recorded by Ringo Starr) | Richard Starkey | B-side to "Too Much Passion", 1992 | 3:07 |
14. | "Well...Alright (live)" (originally recorded by Buddy Holly) | Jerry Allison, Buddy Holly, Joe B. Mauldin, Norman Petty | Live in Concert! Greatest Hits and More, 2008 | 2:38 |
15. | "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home" (originally recorded by The Kinks) | Ray Davies | previously officially unreleased on CD | 2:31 |
16. | "The World Keeps Going 'Round" (originally recorded by The Kinks) | Davies | B-side to "Too Much Passion", 1992 | 2:38 |
17. | "Downbound Train" (originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen) | Bruce Springsteen | One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen, 1997 | 3:43 |
18. | "The Seeker" (originally recorded by The Who) | Pete Townshend | B-side to "Only a Memory", 1988 | 3:20 |
19. | "Somethin' Stupid" (originally recorded by Carson and Gaile, Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra) | C. Carson Parks | B-side to "Get a Hold of My Heart", 1992 | 2:45 |
20. | "Lust For Life" (originally recorded by Iggy Pop) | David Bowie, Iggy Pop | B-side to "Only a Memory", 1988 | 5:08 |
21. | "The Stroll" (originally recorded by The Diamonds) | Nancy Lee, Clyde Otis | Fast Track to Nowhere: Songs from the Showtime original series Rebel Highway, 1994 | 3:00 |
22. | "Shakin' All Over" (originally recorded by Johnny Kidd & the Pirates) | Johnny Kidd, Guy Robinson | B-side to "Top of the Pops", 1991 | 4:06 |
Adapted from the liner notes of Covers[16] and Attack of The Smithereens,[17] except where noted.
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The Smithereens | |
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Studio albums |
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Extended plays | |
Live albums |
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Compilation albums |
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Singles | |
Other songs |